FARMING AND FOXHUNTING 



whichever one you select, and even to-day we all 

 carry these ideas very much into practice. The 

 fact is, we are forced to if we wish to have a con- 

 tinuity of useful straw crops, but I have never 

 stuck rigidly to the system. 



My father used to tell me to take a crop when 

 you can see one, and so one ought unless by doing 

 so you get into a bit of a tangle with your sheep- 

 fodder crops. To provide the latter in regular 

 rotation without let or hindrance, when perhaps 

 the weather besets you at every point, is one which 

 will often tax the best organizer, but nevertheless 

 I have always thought it worth while during my 

 farming career. Good roots I will have. Really 

 they are not too difficult to grow if one uses a little 

 care and judgment as to the cultivation, and perhaps 

 more so to the sowing period. 



One important factor to success with hurdle sheep 

 is that it is imperative to possess a good shepherd, 

 and in this I believe I have been most fortunate. 



The family of Swattons in north Wilts have the 

 sheep sense to a marked degree. For some thirty- 

 odd years, at least one member of the family has 

 been in charge of my hurdle flocks. Their good 

 judgment and faithful service has kept me true to 

 the Hampshire Down breed. William, the father 

 of my present shepherd Charles Swatton, was with 

 me in the old Wanborough Plain days. 



I remember in those days paying the flock a visit 

 one wet morning, in fact there had been several 

 very wet mornings, and saying, " How are they 

 standing up to weather, shepherd ? " and getting 



72 



